The position on the devices was taken by 71 per cent of respondents in a poll commissioned by the Police Federation of England and Wales, which represents rank-and-file officers.

Four out of five of those surveyed said it would make no difference to them approaching an officer for assistance, or that they would be more likely to, if the officer were carrying a Taser.

A police officer demonstrating the use of a TaserCredit:
Gareth Fuller/PA Wire

The survey of 2,004 adults in England and Wales found that 17 per cent disagreed that all police officers should be given the option of being equipped with a Taser.

Steve White, chairman of the federation, said: "We know officers support the use of Taser and Body Worn Video, and now we have the evidence that shows the public do as well.

"Yesterday I wrote to all chief constables and commissioners across England and Wales, outlining the survey results and asking them to support a wider rollout of Taser and call for increased government funding to assist with this."

The findings come as a new replacement model of Taser, the X2, awaits final Home Office approval before it can be rolled out to frontline officers.

Matt Spencer, managing director for Taser UK, said: "We are confident that the X2 can help to make police officers more effective and more accountable - two things we know the police and the public want to see."

Tasers were introduced by UK police forces in 2003 following trials in some force areas. A number of deaths following their use have sparked scrutiny of the stun guns.